Tie tree

ABSTRACT

A composite frame is adapted to fit into a tie and hold it so the tie will regain its shape. The frame is made of two wire sections each having adjustable portions to fit nearly any tie and joined together by suitable clamp assemblies.

United States Patent n91 Fe'gan TIE TREE [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Lawrence Peska Associates, Inc., New York, NY. a part interest [22] Filed: Dec. 27, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 536,800

Joseph J. Fegan, Jamesburg, NJ.

[52] US. Cl. 223/65 [51] Int. Cl. D06C 15/00 [58] Field of Search 223/1, 65, 81-83,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,338,189 4/1920 Munt 223/65 [4 1 July 22,1975

1,803,710 5/1931 Klirer 223/65 2,557,635 6/1951 Cregar.... 223/65 X 2,608,323 8/1952 Kolkoski 223/65 Primary ExaminerGeo. V. Larkin [57] ABSTRACT A composite frame is adapted to fit into a tie and hold it so the tie will regain its shape. The frame is made of two wire sections each having adjustable portions to fit nearly any tie and joined together by suitable clamp assemblies.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures TIE TREE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a tie tree, and more particularly, to one that is adjustable.

A problem with mens ties are that they can become wrinkled and misshapen with use or with cleaning and washing.

The prior art was cognizant of such problems and a number of patents exist which depict devices known as necktie retainers to shape a tie during a cleaning or storage process.

Examples of such prior art are U.S. Pat. No. 1,338,189 entitled TIE PRESSER by W. B. Munt, U.S. Pat. No. 1,803,710 entitled NECKTIE REFORMER by W. B. Kliver and U.S. Pat. No. 2,557,635 entitled NECKTIE RESTORER by C. M. Cregar.

Such devices as Munt and Kliver are relatively complicated in that they employ mechanical adjustments in combination with a frame apparatus to retain the tie. They suffer in that they are limited in flexibility and are not easily adapatable to accommodate the wide gamut and widths of conventional neckties. Furthermore, the prior art devices, when adjusted, cause a bowing of the frame and hence distort the tie configuration and further the adjusting members used may serve to impress a wrinkle or imprint on the tie.

, The devices are bulky and not easily adapted to modern day packaging and marketing techniques.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to restore ties to a wrinkle free condition and in their proper shape while providing a simple and economical adjustment means.

It is yet another object to have a tie tree that can fit different ties, while further adapted for easy storage and packaging.

In brief, these and other objects are achieved by having a sectional wire frame with an upper and a lower M- shaped section. When assembled, an intermediate frame section is adapted to press outwardly from within said tie. Said top and bottom sections can be adjustable to fit different shape ties by spreading or impressing portionsof the top and bottom M-shaped sections with respect to the assembled frame.

These and other objects, features and advantages will become apparent from the description when taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a view of the invention inserted into a tie.

In FIG. 1 there is shown a tie tree 10 preferably made aperture for accommodating the ends of the M-frame sections 16 and 18 to enable easy packaging, storage and assembly. They are relatively thin and of a slightly greater overall diameter than the frame wire. Other clamp devices would suffice as well, it being understood that the use of such devices enables one to use two separate pieces and thence to assemble the same in a unitary or composite structure. Tree 10, when assembled, has a planar intermediate section 14, a serpentine or M-shaped top section 16, and an inverted M-shaped bottom section 18. The overall length of the assembled tree 10 is about 22 inches, While the depth of both the top and bottom sections to apexes 20 and 22 from bends 24,26 and 28, 30 respectively is about 6 inches. The sides 32 and 34 of intermediate section 10 can be moved closer or further from each other by simply pulling or pushing them because of the flexibility of the wire frame. In such a movement, the tree 10 will bend at bends 20 30, thereby permitting adjustment of the invention to fit narrow or wide ties. The sections 16 and 18 are moved towards the intermediate section 14 or away causing the wires as 32 and 34 to remain relatively at the same angles as shown but varying the distance between the same.

FIG. 2 shows that, in addition to the above described adjustment, the top and bottom sections 16 and 18 can be inwardly and outwardly bent about bends 28, 30 and 24, 26 respectively. This also aids in adjusting the tree 10 to fit a tie. In FIG. 3, there is a wrinkled tie 36 disposed over the tree 10. These wrinkles can be the result of normal wearing or of washing or cleaning. The top and intermediate sections 16 and 14 are within the tie 36 and outwardly press against it. The top portion of the bottom section 18 is left outside the tie 36 for easy removal of the tree 18. The tie 36 can be sprayed with water or other liquid to aid in removing the wrinkles and it is then left on tree 10 for a sufficient time for the wrinkles to come out'and form the shape of the tie to be restored.

It will be appreciated that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from its spirit and scope.

Having herein described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

l. A device for restoring a tie to its proper shape comprising:

a. a flexible wire top section of an M-shaped configuration, with the sides of said M-at a given angle,

b. a flexible wire bottom section of an inverted M- shaped configuration and being relatively larger than said top section, with the arms of said M directed relatively along the same angle as said sides of said top section,

C. means coupling said arms of said top and bottom sections to form a composite frame member having an intermediate section adapted to conform to the shape of any one of a plurality of ties accommodated by said frame to press on the sides of said tie when accommodated by moving the central portions of either of said top and bottom section Ms towards or away from said intermediate section of said composite member, with the M of said bottom section being always maintained outside the confines of any tie being accommodated, while the, M of said top section is within said confines of said tie.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means coupling said arms comprise first and second longitudinal, tubular members having a central aperture of a diameter selected according to the diameter of said wire.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wire comprises 12 gauge wire.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said top section comprises a member having an adjustable apex angle.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bottom section comprises a member having an adjustable apex angle.

6. The device according to claim 1 wherein said M- sections have relatively rounded transition points. 

1. A device for restoring a tie to its proper shape comprising: a. a flexible wire top section of an M-shaped configuration, with the sides of said M-at a given angle, b. a flexible wire bottom section of an inverted M-shaped configuration and being relatively larger than said top section, with the arms of said M directed relatively along the same angle as said sides of said top section, C. means coupling said arms of said top and bottom sections to form a composite frame member having an intermediate section adapted to conform to the shape of any one of a plurality of ties accommodated by said frame to press on the sides of said tie when accommodated by moving the central portions of either of said top and bottom section M''s towards or away from said intermediate section of said composite member, with the M of said bottom section being always maintained outside the confines of any tie being accommodated, while the M of said top section is within said confines of said tie.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means coupling said arms comprise first and second longitudinal, tubular members having a central aperture of a diameter selected according to the diameter of said wire.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wire comprises 12 gauge wire.
 4. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said top section comprises a member having an adjustable apex angle.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bottom section comprises a member having an adjustable apex angle.
 6. The device according to claim 1 wherein said M-sections have relatively rounded transition points. 